If One Uses It Lawfully

We look at the Ten Commandments. We know they are good for everyone. There are also many other Old Testament laws that are good, in and of themselves, when observed in the manner and times they were intended to be used. Examples could include circumcision — presenting newborn children to the Lord — attending the prescribed festivals — proper sacrifices — inheritance rules, etc.

Even though these laws were good guides for certain purposes, God let the people know from the get-go that all these laws would not give them salvation. We are saved — made righteous — only through faith, as we see it was for Abraham in Genesis 15:6. So, Paul teaches in 1 Timothy 1:8-11,

But we know that the Law is good, if one uses it lawfully, realizing the fact that law is not made for a righteous person, but for those who are lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their fathers or mother, for murderers and immoral men and homosexuals and kidnappers and liars and perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound teaching, according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, with which I have been entrusted.

We see in God’s word that the law is good, but it is totally unable to save anyone. No one is able to keep all of the law perfectly, so no matter who we are, we are condemned eternally because we have all sinned — and sin every day. The law condemns us for not being perfect. Paul said, “the Law is good, if one uses it lawfully“. The law is used “lawfully” when we simply let it teach us the difference between good and evil.

But the law is used “unlawfully” when we imagine that we can keep it good enough to actually be justified in God’s eyes. We cannot point to our good deeds and pretend that they will make up for our sins.

It is also “unlawful” to imagine that if we try really hard to be good, we will teach ourselves to be good enough (sanctified — made holy) in God’s eyes. No one can grow spiritually — be sanctified — by attempting to keep all of the law.

The main purpose of the law is to teach “those who are lawless and rebellious”. The law of God convicts all the unbelievers of their “lawless and rebellious” ways. If and when they come to the point of feeling condemned for their evil, they have a chance to turn to the Lord for forgiveness and be saved. That is the lawful use of the law — to make us always turn to God for forgiveness — to learn to have faith in God’s salvation through Christ Jesus.